HELP with horsetail fern

beagardnerApril 21, 2008

I think it is Equisetum hyemale. My husband planted a little of it a few years ago in our garden, NOT knowing what it was. It has totally taken over and I have gone into major panic mode. How can I get rid of it. I have read horrible things about this devil plant. Please, any and all suggestions will be appreciated. I just want my pretty garden back.

Horsetail stands out among other plants due to its perfumes
rare origin and little similarity to most of the inhabitants of flora kingdom. First, handbags
it is the descendant of the plants thriving in Paleozoic era (more than 400 million years ago), and second, it belongs to the Equisetum genus, the only existing in Equisetaceae family known for vascular plants propagated by sunglasses
spores. Consequently, horsetails are closely related to ferns, and similarly to the latter are considered to be non-flowering. The common name of the plant is based on its furniture
physical resemblance to the tail for the horse, while the Latin term for Equisetum means "horse bristle"

I did the same thing as you husband a few years back. I planted some around my small fish pond and it absolutely took over. I eventually dug up the whole bed (back-breaking), and now I'm down to pulling up the rare survivor. It escaped into the grass, but seems to be killed by broadleaf herbicide (if I recall correctly). You might try different herbicides on small patches. I also put in some pennywort at the same time -- what an idiot!

I am on a steeeeeep hill and fighting erosion. I still have to see anything at all invade my yard. Slope, deep shade, red clay (naturally) and close proximity of walnut trees. Nothing will grow here. Maybe this horsetail is the solution? I remember seeing it in its natural habitat, lots of times, and it was very modest.